Classic Quote by Elliott Colla
“In translation studies we talk about domestication - translation styles that make something familiar - or estrangement - translation styles that make something radically different. I use a lot of both in my translation, and modernism does both. For instance, if you look at the way James Joyce presents Ulysses, is that domesticating a classic? Think of it as an experiment in relation to a well-known text in another language.”
About This Quote
Source Academic article: Translation Studies, 2020s
Domestication makes a text familiar; estrangement makes it foreign. Both strategies appear in modernism and Joyce’s Ulysses, creating experimental relations with the original.
In simple terms: Two translation styles: familiar vs. foreign.
Key Takeaway
Use both styles to explore texts.
Themes
translation
modernism
literary theory
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- literary analysis
- translation projects
- creative adaptations
Key Concepts
domestication
estrangement
intertextuality
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you choose domestication over estrangement?
- What effect does each style have on reader perception?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on one style can limit interpretive richness.
